Andy Quan’s musical journey began at age 11 when his brother showed him the bass guitar. Growing up, Andy often struggled to find his place, but music quickly became his source of comfort and direction. He played bass in his high school jazz band, which offered him a sense of structure and purpose, laying the foundation for his understanding and passion for music.
Naturally shy and introspective, Andy used music to express emotions which words couldn’t convey. He found his calling in producing instrumental lo-fi beats, soon transitioning to electric guitar to seek new creative horizons. Teaching himself this instrument was difficult, but it unlocked fresh possibilities. Drawing on his jazz background and years of experimentation, Andy developed a unique style blending intricate chord progressions with melodic guitar lines. His work gained international recognition in the lo-fi music scene, leading to releases with acclaimed labels such as Den Haku Lofi, Pueblo Vista, Tsunami Sounds and Vine Swing Records.
Despite his love for music, Andy was unsure whether it could be a viable career. Like many, he felt pressure to pursue a prestigious path, leading him to study math and physics to become a high school teacher. However, over time he realised a traditional classroom setting wasn’t for him. In a tough decision, he left university just a year before earning his degree, choosing instead to pour his energy into music.
Eager to share his knowledge, Andy began creating short educational guitar videos. His simple yet effective style resonated with a global audience, making complex musical concepts accessible to learners of all skill levels. As an eternal student, Andy constantly seeks to deepen his own knowledge, fuelling his passion to teach. His style is deeply rooted in funk, jazz, bossa nova and blues; reflecting his deep appreciation for different genres. Influenced by guitar legends like Cory Wong, Nile Rodgers and Tomo Fujita, Andy specialises in funk rhythm guitar, blending rich theory with captivating grooves.
Andy’s perfectionism drives much his work. He often spends over 30 minutes just to extract the perfect guitar take, and once painstakingly created almost 100 “final versions” of a track before its official release. While challenging, this meticulous attention to detail fuels his unwavering persistence and work ethic.
Building his online community was no easy feat. Andy juggled his full-time day job and first-time parenthood while dedicating his free hours to content creation, often sacrificing sleep and leisure to pursue his dream. Through relentless consistency and devotion, he grew his Instagram audience to over 135 000 followers; inspiring guitarists and musicians worldwide. He has also collaborated with renowned brands such as Donner Music, GOC Guitars, Shoshin Picks, Audio-Technica, ADAM Audio and Flamma Innovation; providing valuable resources for his audience while cementing his role as a respected educator.
Today, Andy is focused on growing Quan Academy—a vibrant community dedicated to helping guitarists master rhythm playing, deepen their understanding of music theory and explore new styles. By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, Andy continues to empower musicians to discover their unique voice, just as music helped him find his own.
On this website, you can find Andy’s free resources including a chord progression PDF as well as his own sample pack.